Lilli Nakskov's final position on Mount Royal was with a young lawyer's family. They treated her with love and respect, which she treasured for the rest of her life. They were devout Roman Catholics with well-behaved children. Little Jack was born shortly after Lilli arrived. He was her special charge. She was sorry to leave in 1931 but she was getting married and moving away.
Keeping Track
She didn't write to the family but occasionally saw news about them in the Calgary Herald. That's how she knew Jack had been ordained a Roman Catholic priest. Once, a friend from Tilley shared a hospital room with Jack's mother, who sent her regards.
But the most amazing thing happened in the 1990s. A series of articles in the Calgary Herald said Jack had left the priesthood. He was now married and Executive Director of a support organization for former priests. When Lilli showed the articles to her children, her son encouraged her to contact Jack. She would not. Perhaps she was afraid of rejection––good memories would be tarnished. But she said her son could try contacting him.
Reunion
Jack was truly delighted when he heard about Lilli. He remembered his mother speaking of Lilli and he had photographs of her––some with him. He invited Lilli and her children to spend the evening and meet his wife, Sheila.
So Lilli, two of her daughters, and her son spent a marvellous, nostalgic and emotion-filled evening with Jack and Sheila. Lilli, the guest of honour, was treated like a queen. The two of them exchanged stories and remembrances and they learned all about one another. Jack and Lilli compared their old photographs. Several were identical!
Adapted from the 2005 Heritage Book,with permission from the Federation of Danish Associations in Canada
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